Kashrut: Fact, Fiction and In Between part 14

To me, one of the greatest heroes of modern Jewish history is the much hated, but much feared, Rabbi Yitzckak Abadi. Imagine, if you will, an erudite figure who studied at the feet of great rabbis of the last generation, and is looking over the shoulders of modern day people who are misquoting them, saying "where did you get THAT from?" Such a person is Rabbi Abadi. He is one of the only people whom Rabbi Ovadia Yosef stood up before, whenever he entered the room. Rather than introduce the Rav to you (I have mentioned him in the past) I will give you his sons' introduction, posted on the website of his rulings:

About Us
This website was established as a community service for the observant Jewish community throughout the world. Its purpose is to properly educate and provide the necessary information to assist others in conforming to Jewish Laws without unnecessary discomfort and confusion. The site is run by the children of Rabbi Yitzchak Abadi, and with his direct supervision.

Rabbi Abadi is a renowned Posek whose students are rabbis across the globe. His studies began in Tel-Aviv, Israel and continued in Yeshivat Chevron in Jerusalem. At 19 years old, he was sent by the "Chazon Ish" to study in Lakewood, NJ, under the famed Rabbi Aaron Kotler. A few years after the passing of Rabbi Kotler, Rabbi Abadi became the Posek and the exclusive Halachic authority in Lakewood. In 1993, Rabbi Abadi moved to Jerusalem, Israel, where he opened a Kollel to continue his teachings abroad.

The goals of this website are clearly directed at those who may benefit from this service. Anyone who disagrees with the opinions and laws described within is invited to respond with respectful comments.

And disagree they did. There have been many cyber attacks on the website. When I was writing for "A Taste of Torah", whenever I quoted Rav Abadi, one "gentleman" (and I use the term very loosely) would always write "DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" R. Abadi has taken many controversial stands, on many topics. He is always source based, as well as pointing out that new "stringencies" that were born in the '60s and later, that were never part of Judaism,. should be seen as deviational and heretical. He says "any custom not found in Talmudic sources, should be assumed to be of non-Jewish origin, and probably pagan". In the Kashrut realm, he has been particularly outspoken. He points out many of the failings that I have already written about. He also "outs" the major agencies for their campaign of slander against smaller agencies (especially the Triangle K). Beyond that, he insists that most things have no need for supervision (other than meat and wine). In most countries, labeling laws are very strict, even more than Kashrut requires. Yes, you will need to take half an hour to learn what the ingredients really mean. (Anybody who thinks that Mashgichim have great powers, and essentially do a body search on the workers, is living in dreamland). He carefully analyses and dismisses possible halachic objections. For Passover, he publishes a list of over 1,200 items that may be purchased (in the U.S.) without supervision. The website, run by his sons, who are also themselves very learned men, from 2002 was a general question and answer forum (when you see a question from yaakov s, that's me). (Sadly, his website has now split into two, with one of his sons defending Rabbi Abadi's rulings, while other family members offer a toned-down approach, glossing over some of Rabbi Abadi's more controversial stands). When prominent rabbis come up with new stringencies, Rabbi Abadi is always there to say "Do you have a source?" They are seized by terror. They know that this is a man who really knows. This is a man who can't be bought. This is a man who may cut into profits, in order to uphold the Torah. We need more like him! I was thrilled and honored when thirteen years ago, my daughter Simcha married the rabbi's great-nephew, and we are now family.

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